Information processing device and information processing method, maintenance information management system and recording medium

ABSTRACT

According to the present invention, maintenance data about a plurality of distribution terminal devices which are different from each other in frequency with which they are in use and circumstances under which they are in use are transmitted to a host computer, whereby a lifetime of a semiconductor laser can be predicted and an occurrence of a trouble can be detected without receiving information from a user or shops in which the distribution terminal devices are installed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing deviceand an information processing method, a maintenance informationmanagement system and a recording medium, and more particularly relatesto an information processing device and an information processingmethod, a maintenance information management system and a recordingmedium in which a lifetime of a part can be predicted or an occurrenceof a trouble can be detected without receiving information from a useror shop and so forth where a distribution terminal device is installedby transmitting maintenance data of a plurality of distribution terminaldevices, they are different in frequency with which they are used andcircumstances under which they are used, to a host computer of a systemin a system such as a content distribution system comprising a pluralityof information processing devices connected via a network.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Recently, a service in which distribution terminal devices fordistributing content data such as a piece of music are installed at akiosk of a station, a convenience store and so forth, content datadistributed from a host computer through a network are recorded on amagnetooptical disk such as an MD (Mini Disk) and the content data aredistributed to audience is commercially available.

[0003] Because a large number of such distribution terminal devices areinstalled at various places, costs for sending maintenance staff toperform a regular maintenance of distribution terminal device becomeenormous.

[0004] In the distribution terminal device, its optical block for use inrecording content data on the MD incorporates therein a semiconductorlaser. In particular, since a lifetime of a semiconductor laser becomesconsiderably different depending upon frequency with which eachdistribution terminal device has been used and circumstances under whicheach distribution terminal device was installed, it is very difficult topredict a lifetime of a semiconductor laser. For this reason, in mostcases, the maintenance staff visits a user (e.g., distributor, etc.) ora shop in which a distribution terminal device is installed to repairthe distribution terminal device after the maintenance staff hadreceived information on an occurrence of a trouble from the user or theshop.

[0005] When the maintenance of a distribution terminal device is to becarried out before the reliability of recorded content data by thesemiconductor laser deteriorates, at present, the semiconductor lasershould be exchanged earlier than the actual lifetime allowing for safetyor the maintenance staff should regularly visit the place in which thedistribution terminal device is installed, should inspect respectiveportions of the optical block and should confirm whether or not thesemiconductor laser can be operated normally, which causes themaintenance costs to increase unavoidably.

[0006] Depending upon the place in which the distribution terminaldevice is installed, an inputted power source voltage becomes unstabledue to some kinds of circumstances at a power source. For example, eventhough it can be confirmed that the power source voltage is stable whenthe distribution terminal device is installed, if electrical machineryand apparatus which consume a large electric power are installed nearthe distribution terminal device after the distribution terminal devicehad been installed, there is then the risk that the power source voltageof the distribution terminal device will become unstable.

[0007] When a power consumption within the same building is fluctuateddepending upon a time period, it can be considered that the power sourcevoltage is lowered during only a specific time period. If an enormousamount of content data is distributed from the host computer to thedistribution terminal device in such time period, there is then a largepossibility that an error will occur.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

[0008] The present invention is implemented in view of the aforesaidaspect, and makes sure that a lifetime of a semiconductor laser can bepredicted or an occurrence of a trouble can be detected withoutreceiving information from a user or a shop and the like wheredistribution terminals device is installed by transmitting maintenancedata on a plurality of distribution terminal devices, which aredifferent in frequency with which they are used and in circumstancesunder which they are used, to a host computer.

[0009] An information processing device according to the presentinvention comprises an input means for receiving inputted firstinformation indicative of the condition of other information processingdevices through a network, a memory means for storing therein areference value concerning the first information, an accumulation meansfor accumulating the first information inputted by the input means and ageneration means for generating second information concerning themaintenance of other information processing devices based upon the firstinformation inputted by the input means, the reference value beingstored in the memory means and the first information accumulated in theaccumulation means.

[0010] The information processing device according to the presentinvention can further comprise a transmission means for transmittingcontent data to other information processing devices through thenetwork. Other information processing devices are distribution terminaldevices for providing a service in which content data distributedthrough the network is recorded on a recording medium.

[0011] The first information can contain data on the power sourcevoltage of the distribution terminal device, and the transmission meanscan transmit content data during a time period in which the power sourcevoltage of the distribution terminal device is stable based upon data onthe power source voltage of the distribution terminal device.

[0012] The information processing device according to the presentinvention can further comprise an output means for outputting secondinformation to other information processing devices, and the secondinformation generated by the generation means may be a control signalfor use in improving the operation condition of other informationprocessing devices.

[0013] The second information generated by the generation means may beinformation for expressing a lifetime prediction value of predeterminedpart of other information processing devices.

[0014] The predetermined part may be a laser diode.

[0015] The second information generated by the generation means may beinformation indicative of a transition of the conditions of otherinformation processing devices.

[0016] The first information may contain temperatures inside otherinformation processing devices.

[0017] The first information may contain data on the power source ofother information processing devices.

[0018] The first information may contain values of currents flowing tothe predetermined part of other information processing devices.

[0019] An information processing method according to the presentinvention comprises an input step of receiving an input of firstinformation indicative of conditions of other information processingdevices through a network, a memory step of storing a reference valueconcerning the first information, an accumulation step of accumulatingthe first information inputted by the input step and a generation stepof generating second information concerning a maintenance of otherinformation processing devices based upon the first information inputtedby the processing of the input step, the reference value stored by theprocessing of the memory step and the first information accumulated bythe processing of the accumulation step.

[0020] A program contained in a recording medium according to thepresent invention comprises an input step of receiving inputted firstinformation indicative of a condition of other information processingdevices, a memory step of storing a reference value concerning the firstinformation, an accumulation step of accumulating the first informationinputted by the processing of the input step and a generation step ofgenerating second information concerning a maintenance of otherinformation processing devices based upon the first information inputtedby the processing of the input step, the reference value stored by theprocessing of the memory step and the first information accumulated bythe processing of the accumulation step.

[0021] In a maintenance information management system according to thepresent invention, a first information processing device comprises atransmission means for transmitting first information indicative of itsown condition to a second information processing device through anetwork and the second information processing device comprises an inputmeans for receiving inputted first information indicative of thecondition of the first information processing device, a memory means forstoring therein a reference value concerning the first information, anaccumulation means for accumulating therein the first informationinputted by the input means and a generation means for generating secondinformation concerning the maintenance of the first informationprocessing device based upon the first information inputted by the inputmeans, the reference value stored by the memory means and the firstinformation accumulated by the accumulation means.

[0022] The first information processing device may be a distributionterminal device for providing a service in which content datadistributed through a network is recorded on a recording medium. Thesecond information processing device may be a host computer fordistributing content data through the network to the distributionterminal device.

[0023] The recording medium may be a magnetooptical disk.

[0024] In the information processing device, the information processingmethod and the program contained in the recording medium according tothe present invention, the first information indicative of theconditions of other information processing devices is inputted throughthe network, the reference value concerning the first information isstored, the inputted first information is accumulated and the secondinformation concerning the maintenance of other information processingdevices is generated based upon the first inputted information, thestored reference value and the accumulated first information.

[0025] In the maintenance information management system according to thepresent invention, the first information processing device transmits thefirst information indicative of its own condition through the network tothe second information processing device, and the second informationprocessing device inputs thereto the first information indicative of thecondition of the first information processing device through thenetwork, stores therein the reference value concerning the firstinformation, accumulates therein the inputted first information andgenerates the second information concerning the maintenance of the firstinformation processing device based upon the inputted first information,the stored reference value and the accumulated first information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a content distribution system.

[0027]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a hostcomputer shown in FIG. 1.

[0028]FIG. 3 is a graph for explaining a lifetime reaching multiplestored in an HDD shown in FIG. 2.

[0029]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a distributionterminal device shown in FIG. 1.

[0030]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a distributionterminal computer shown in FIG. 4.

[0031]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of an MD driveshown in FIG. 4.

[0032]FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the manner in which contentdata is recorded.

[0033]FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the manner in which a hostcomputer executes a processing.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0034] An embodiment according to the present invention will bedescribed below with reference to the drawings.

[0035]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a contentdistribution system to which the present invention is applied.

[0036] A host computer 1 is connected through a network 2 such as theInternet, a telephone line network or an exclusive line (e.g., POS(Point of sale) exclusive line) to distribution terminal devices 3-1 to3-n installed at suitable places such as a convenience store or a kioskto receive a variety of information such as requests for contentdistribution and to transmit content data through a data transmissionsystem 4, a satellite 5 and antennas 6-1 to 6-n to the distributionterminal devices 3-1 to 3-n which request the distribution of contentdata.

[0037] When the host computer 1 transmits controls signals and so forthother than the content data to the distribution terminal devices 3-1 to3-n, the host computer transmits these signals through the network 2 tothe distribution terminal devices.

[0038] While we have described with reference to FIG. 1 that informationor signals other than the content data transferred between thedistribution terminal devices 3-1 to 3-n and the host computer 1 aretransmitted and received through the network 2 because they are small indata capacity and that the content data transmitted from the hostcomputer 1 to the distribution terminal devices 3-1 to 3-n aretransmitted and received through the data transmission system 4, thesatellite 5 and the antennas 6-1 to 6-n because they are large in datacapacity, the present invention is not limited thereto and these datamay be transferred through only the network 2 or without using thenetwork 2 at all, these data may be transferred through the datatransmission system 4, the satellite 5 and the antennas 6-1 to 6-n.Furthermore, these data may be transferred by selecting datatransmission and reception paths according to the need.

[0039] When the distribution terminal devices 3-1 to 3-n need not bedistinguished from each other, they will be generally referred to as a“distribution terminal device 3” for simplicity. Also, when the antennas6-1 to 6-n need not be distinguished from each other, they will begenerally referred to as an “antenna 6” for simplicity.

[0040] The host computer 1 receives inputted data for designatingcontent such as music data that users desired to be distributed throughthe network 2 from the distribution terminal device 3 and transmitsdesignated content data through the network 2 to the distributionterminal device 3. Moreover, the host computer receives inputtedmaintenance data from the distribution terminal device 3 through thenetwork 2 and executes a predetermined processing which will bedescribed later on, detects a trouble of the distribution terminaldevice 3 and calculates a lifetime prediction value of a predeterminedpart (e.g., laser diode, etc.) of the distribution terminal device 3.

[0041] The distribution terminal device 3 receives inputted content datafrom the host computer 1 and executes a processing, which will bedescribed later on with reference to FIG. 7, to record content data on amagnetooptical disk such as an MD so that the content data may bedistributed to a user. The distribution terminal device 3 transmits itsown maintenance data through the network 2 to the host computer 1together with its own device ID.

[0042]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the hostcomputer 1.

[0043] A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1 receives, through an I/Ointerface 12 and an internal bus 13, signals corresponding to variouscommands inputted from a content distribution system manager by using aninput section 14 or signals inputted through a network interface 15 andexecutes various processings based upon these signals. A ROM (Read OnlyMemory) 16 stores therein programs for use with the CPU 1 andfundamental fixed data of calculation parameters. A RAM (Rand on AccessMemory) 17 stores therein programs used when the CPU 11 executes avariety of processing and parameters which properly change as theprocessing is executed. The CPU 11, the ROM 16 and the RAM 17 areconnected to each other through the internal bus 13.

[0044] The internal bus 13 is also connected to the I/O interface 12.The input section 14 is comprised of suitable devices such as a keyboardor a mouse and is operated when a user enters various commands to theCPU 11. A display section 18 is comprised of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)and so forth and displays thereon a variety of information in the formof a text or an image. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 19 drives a hard disk,detects content disks distributed to the distribution terminal device 3,a program for use with the CPU 11, data generated when these data areprocessed, device iDs of the distribution terminal devices 3-1 to 3-n,distribution terminal device information such as a date at which thedistribution terminal device is installed and a place where thedistribution terminal device is installed and a trouble of thedistribution terminal device 3 and stores therein parameters for use incalculating a laser lifetime prediction value. Content data distributedto the distribution terminal device 3 may be stored in an externalstorage device, not shown.

[0045] As the parameters for use in detecting a trouble of thedistribution terminal device, there are enumerated a reference powersource voltage value, a reference temperature indicative of atemperature obtained inside the device (e.g., reference temperatureobtained near an optical pickup) and so forth, for example. As theparameters for use in calculating a laser lifetime prediction value,there are enumerated a lifetime reaching multiple of a laser forwardcurrent and so forth. Laser output current characteristics aredeteriorated as an emission accumulation time is increased. As shown inFIG. 3, a laser forward current has characteristics in which anoperation current used to emit a laser power of a certain constantintensity (e.g., a laser power of an intensity necessary for recordingdata) precipitously rises with the passage of certain time as a laserdiode emits laser beams repeatedly. Therefore, by using sufficientnumbers of laser diodes, it is measured how many times a laser forwardcurrent If in which an operation current precipitously rises (i.e., anoperation of a laser diode becomes unstable) becomes as large as areference laser forward current value Ip. A resultant measured value isassumed to be a lifetime reaching multiple of a laser forward current.

[0046] A drive 20 has a magnetic disk 21, an optical disk 22, amagnetooptical disk 23 and a semiconductor memory 24 loaded thereonaccording to the need and transfers data between it and them. Thenetwork interface 15 is connected to an external storage device, notshown, to transfer distribution content data between it and the externalstorage device. The network interface is connected through a telephoneline network, not shown, to the network such as the Internet to transferinformation between it and the distribution terminal device.

[0047]FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of thedistribution terminal device 3. The distribution terminal device 3 iscomprised of a distribution terminal computer 31, an IEEE1394 cable 33,an MD drive 32, a speaker 35 and a receiver 36. The distributionterminal computer 31 is connected to the network 2 and is also connectedto the satellite 5 shown in FIG. 1 through the receiver 36 and theantenna 6 to transfer information between it and the host computer 1shown in FIG. 1. The distribution terminal computer is also connectedthrough the IEEE1394 cable 33 to the MD drive 32 to transfer informationbetween it and the drive. The MD drive 32 is attached to the MD 34 suchthat content data supplied from the distribution terminal computer 31can be recorded on the MD 34 or that content data recorded on the MD 34can be reproduced and outputted to the speaker 35.

[0048]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of thedistribution terminal computer 31. A CPU 41 receives, through an I/Ointerface 42 and an internal bus 43, a signal for designating contentdata to be recorded on the MD 34, as was inputted from a user using aninput section 44 and a signal inputted through a network interface 45and executes various processings based upon these signals. A ROM 46stores therein programs for use with the CPU 41 and fundamental fixeddata from among calculation parameters. A RAM 47 stores therein programsused when the CPU 41 executes various processings and parameters whichproperly change as various processings are executed. The CPU 41, the ROM46 and the RAM 47 are connected to each other by the internal bus 43.

[0049] The internal bus 43 is also connected to the I/O interface 42.The input section 44 is comprised of a suitable device such as akeyboard or a touch panel and is manipulated by a user when receiving aninput by the user. A display section 48 is comprised of a suitabledisplay device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and displaysthereon a variety of information in the form of a text or an image. AnHDD 49 drives a hard disk to record thereon its own device ID, contentdata distributed from the host computer 1 through the network 2,programs for use with the CPU 41 and data generated when these programsare processed. The network interface 45 is connected through a telephoneline network, not shown, to the network 2 such as the Internet and isalso connected to the satellite 5 through the receiver 36 and theantenna 6. Further, this network interface is also connected through theIEEE1394 cable 33 to the MD 32 to reciprocate information between it andeither of the network 2, the satellite 5, and the MD 32.

[0050]FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of the MD 32.

[0051] Data, which has been ATRAC (Advanced Transform AcousticCoding)-encoded, is inputted through the IEEE1394 cable 33 and suppliedto a data conversion section 61, in which a header thereof is separatedfrom such data and resultant data is converted into a format by whichthe resultant data can be recorded on the MD 34. Of the data thusconverted, content data to be recorded on the MD 34 is outputted to andstored in a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) 63 under control of amemory controller 62. A variety of control information is outputted to aCPU 65.

[0052] The CPU 65 receives inputted various control information andcontrols respective sections of the MD drive 32 such that the respectivesections may execute predetermined processings.

[0053] The memory controller 62 reads out data from the DRAM 63 at apredetermined timing and then outputs the read-out data to an EFM (Eightto Fourteen Modulation) encoder/decoder 64. The EFM encoder/decoder 64EFM-modulates inputted data and outputs the data thus EFM-modulated to amagnetic head driver 66. The magnetic head driver 66 drives a magnetichead 67, which is provided in an opposing relation to an optical pickup69, in accordance with a signal inputted from the EFM encoder/decoder64. The magnetic head 67 applies a modulated magnetic field to a disk34-2.

[0054] The MD 34 is comprised of a cartridge 34-1 and the disk 34-2accommodated in this cartridge 34-1. The disk 342 is rotated by aspindle motor 68.

[0055] The optical pickup 69 incorporates therein a laser diode to emitlaser light to the disk 34-2 under control of an APC (Auto PowerControl) circuit, not shown, provided within an RF amplifier 73. Whendata is to be recorded on the disk 34-2, the laser diode emits laserlight of an intensity high enough to heat the recording tracks of thedisk 34-2 up to a Curie temperature. When data is read out (reproduced)from the disk 34-2, the laser diode emits laser light of a relativelylow intensity to detect data from reflected light owing to anelectromagnetic Kerr effect. The optical pickup 69 incorporates thereina detector for detecting reflected light and a laser current measuringsection, not shown.

[0056] Laser light emitted from the laser diode is irradiated on thedisk 34-2 through an objective lens 71. The objective lens 71 iscomprised of a cylindrical lens, for example, and is held by a sledmotor 72 and a biaxial actuator, not shown, in such a manner that it canbe displaced in the radius direction of the disk 34-2 and the directionin which it is brought closer to or it is detached from the disk 34-2.The objective lens may focus laser light emitted from the optical pickup69 on the recording surface of the disk 34-2. Beam spot positioninginformation obtained from the RF amplifier 73 is inputted through an A/Dconverter 74 to a servo processor 75. The servo processor 75 generates,based upon the inputted information a control, a signal which is used toprecisely focus the beam spot on a predetermined position of the disk34-2 and outputs this control signal to a servo driver 70. The servodriver 70 drives the sled motor 72 and the biaxial actuator, not shown.The address information about the data recorded on the disk 34-2 afterit was obtained by the RF amplifier 73 is inputted through the A/Dconverter 74 to the servo processor 75. The servo processor 75 generatesa control signal, which is used to rotate the spindle motor 68 at apredetermined revolution rate, based upon inputted information, and thenoutputs the control signal thus generated to the spindle driver 76.Based upon this control signal, the spindle driver 76 drives the spindlemotor 68 to rotate the disk 34-2.

[0057] Data detected from the disk 34-2 by the detector provided withinthe optical pickup 69 is supplied to the RF amplifier 73. The RFamplifier 73 extracts a reproduced RF signal, a tracking error signal, afocus error signal, absolute position information recorded in a wobblingfashion, address information and the like from the data supplied theretoby subjecting the supplied data to calculation processing.

[0058] The reproduced RF signal is supplied to the EFM encoder/decoder64, in which it is EFM-demodulated and supplied to the memory controller62. The demodulated data is temporarily stored in the DRAM 63 undercontrol of the memory controller 62, read out from the dynamicrandom-access memory to the memory controller 62 at predetermined timingand then outputted through the data conversion section 61 to thedistribution terminal computer 31 or the speaker 35.

[0059] The tracking error signal, the focus error signal, the absoluteposition information recorded in a wobbling fashion and the addressinformation are outputted through the A/D converter 74 to the servoprocessor 75. Based upon the information supplied from the A/D converter74 and a track jump command, a seek command and so forth inputted fromthe CPU 65, the servo processor 75 generates control signals, which areoutputted to the spindle driver 76 and the servo driver 70, to therebyexecute the focus control and the tracking control.

[0060] The RF amplifier 73 amplifies not only various informationdetected by the detector incorporated within the optical pickup 69 butalso an electric signal inputted from a temperature sensor 77. Thetemperature sensor 77 is disposed near the optical pickup 69. The A/Dconverter 74 converts the inputted analog signal to provide digital dataand then outputs the digital data to the CPU 65.

[0061] Further, the RF amplifier 73 passes (i.e, does not process) ananalog signal corresponding to a laser forward current from a lasercurrent measuring section, not shown, provided within the optical pickup69 and then outputs this analog signal to an analog input port of theCPU 65.

[0062] A power source voltage sensor 79 is connected to the analog inputport of the CPU 65 and receives an inputted power source voltage valueof the MD drive 32.

[0063] The CPU 65 outputs temperature data inputted from the A/Dconverter 74, laser forward current data inputted from the RF amplifier73 and power source voltage data inputted from the power source voltagesensor 79 to an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read OnlyMemory) 78, in which they are recorded. When the MD drive 32 is shipped,the EEPROM 78 has previously stored therein the reference laser forwardcurrent value Ip which is used to emit laser light of an intensitynecessary to record data while a reference temperature is set to 25° C.,for example.

[0064] The CPU 65 reads out the reference laser forward current valueIp, the measured temperature data, the power source voltage data and thelaser forward current data from the EEPROM 78 at every predeterminedtime or each time it receives a maintenance data transmission requesttransmitted from the host computer 1 through the network 2, thedistribution terminal computer 31, the IEEE1394 cable 33 and the dataconversion section 61 and outputs the data thus read out through thedata conversion section 61 and the IEEE1394 cable 33 to the distributionterminal computer 31. The CPU 41 of the distribution terminal computer31 transmits the inputted maintenance data and its own device ID throughthe network 2 to the host computer 1.

[0065] Further, while the CPU 65 controls an operation of a cooling fan80 based upon the temperature data inputted from the A/D converter 74 insuch a manner that a temperature within the device of the MD drive 32may be kept less than a constant temperature, the present invention isnot limited thereto and the central processing unit may control theoperation of the cooling fan 80 in accordance with the control signalfrom the host computer 1.

[0066] A content data recording processing which is to be executed bythe distribution terminal device 3 will be described with reference to aflowchart of FIG. 7.

[0067] At a step S1, the CPU 31 of the distribution terminal computer 31receives a distribution desired content data designation, which has beenentered from the input section 44 by the user, through the I/O interface42 and the internal bus 43. It is determined at a step S2 by the centralprocessing unit whether or not the designated content data is stored inthe HDD 49.

[0068] If it is determined at the step S2 that the designated contentdata is stored in the HDD 49, then control goes to a step S5. If it isdetermined at the step S2 that the designated content data is not storedin the HDD 49, then control goes to a step S3, whereat the CPU 31transmits a designated content data transmission request to the hostcomputer 1 through the internal bus 43, the I/O interface 42, thenetwork interface 45 and the network 2. At a step S4, the centralprocessing unit receives the designated content data from the hostcomputer 1 through the data transmission system 4, the satellite 5, theantenna 6, the receiver 36, the network interface 45, the I/O interface42 and the internal bus 43. The CPU 41 outputs the received content datato the HDD 49, in which it is stored.

[0069] If it is determined at the step S2 that the designated contentdata is stored in the HDD 49 or at the completion of the step S4, thencontrol goes to a step S5, whereat the CPU 31 of the distributionterminal computer 31 reads out the designated content data from the HDD49 and outputs the designated content data thus read out to the MD drive32.

[0070] The CPU 65 of the MD drive 32 records the designated content dataon the MD 34. Specifically, the content data inputted to the dataconversion section 61 is temporarily stored in the DRAM 63 under controlof the memory controller 62 and then read out from the DRAM 63 andoutputted to the EFM encoder/decoder 64. The EFM encoder/decoder 64EFM-modulates the inputted data and outputs the data thus modulated tothe magnetic head driver 66. The magnetic head driver 66 drives themagnetic head 67 in accordance with the signal inputted from the EFMencoder/decoder 64. The magnetic head 67 applies the modulated magneticfield to the disk 34-2 to record the designated content data and, thencontrol is ended.

[0071] Although the content data is recorded on the MD 34 by theprocessing that has been described so far with reference to FIG. 7, ifthese controls are repeated a plurality of times, there is then the riskthat as the lifetime of the laser in the optical pickup 69 will beended, various electric circuit parts will be overheated or atemperature within the device will rise in accordance with a rise of atemperature near the optical pickup 69 and that the power source voltagewill be fluctuated.

[0072] The CPU 65 has recorded the maintenance data on the EEPROM 78 asdescribed above. At every predetermined time or each time the CPU 65receives the maintenance data transmission request inputted from thehost computer 1, this central processing unit reads out the maintenancedata such as the temperature data, the laser forward current data (thepresent laser forward current value and the reference laser forwardcurrent value) and the power source voltage data from the EEPROM 78 andtransmits the maintenance data through the data conversion section 61and the IEEE1394 cable 33 to the distribution terminal computer 31. Thedistribution terminal computer 31 transmits the maintenance data and thedevice ID to the host computer 1 through the network 2.

[0073] The processing, which is to be executed by the host computer 1,will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 8.

[0074] At a step S11, the CPU 11 of the host computer 1 receives themaintenance data such as the temperature data, the laser forward currentdata and the power source voltage data from the distribution terminaldevice 3 through the network 2, the network interface 15, the I/Ointerface 12 and the internal bus 13 together with the device ID of thedistribution terminal device 3.

[0075] At a step S12, the CPU 11 compares the values of the presentlaser forward current value/standard laser forward current value withthe lifetime reaching multiple stored in the HDD 19. At a step S13, thiscentral processing unit compares the inputted power source voltage datawith the standard power source voltage value stored in the HDD 19. At astep S14, this central processing unit compares the inputted temperaturedata indicative of the temperature near the optical pickup 69 withstandard temperature data indicative of the temperature near the opticalpickup 69 and which is stored in the HDD 19.

[0076] It is determined at a step S15 by the CPU 11 based upon thecompared results of the steps S12 to S15 if any one of the maintenancedata has an abnormal value or a lifetime reaching value. If it isdetermined at the step S15 that any one of the maintenance data has theabnormal value or the lifetime reaching value, then control goes to astep S18.

[0077] If it is determined at the step S15 that any one of themaintenance data does not have the abnormal value and the lifetimereaching value, then after a step S20, which will be described later on,has been ended or after a step S21, which will be described later on,has been ended, the CPU 11 outputs and records respective maintenanceinformation on the HDD 19 through the internal bus 13 and the I/Ointerface 12 together with dates.

[0078] At a step S17, the CPU 11 calculates the laser lifetimeprediction value and outputs the same through the internal bus 13 andthe I/O interface 12 to the HDD 19, in which it is recorded togetherwith a date and thereby outputted to and displayed on the displaysection 18. As a method of calculating a laser lifetime predictionvalue, a date at which the corresponding distribution terminal device isinstalled may be read out from the HDD 19, a time period in which thecorresponding distribution terminal device has been installed so far maybe calculated and a laser lifetime prediction value may be predicted bycalculating a percentage at which the present laser forward currentvalue/standard laser forward current value reaches the lifetime reachingmultiple. Alternatively, a transition prediction curve of a laserforward current value may be calculated from history data about laserforward current values stored in the HDD 19 and the lifetime reachingmultiple may be predicted.

[0079] Since the lifetime is predicted each time the central processingunit receives the maintenance data from the distribution terminal device3, even when the circumstances under which the distribution terminaldevice 3 is in use and the frequency at which the distribution terminaldevice is in use are changed, it becomes possible to predict a lifetimeof a laser diode at high accuracy.

[0080] If it is determined at the step S15 that any one of themaintenance data has the abnormal value or the lifetime reaching value,then control goes to the step S18, whereat it is determined by the CPU11 whether or not the temperature data has an abnormal value. If it isdetermined at the step S18 that the temperature data doe not have theabnormal value, then control goes to a step S21.

[0081] If it is determined at the step S18 that the temperature data hasthe abnormal value, then control goes to a step S19, whereat it isdetermined by the CPU 11 based upon the history of the maintenanceinformation recorded on the HDD 19 whether or not the abnormality of thetemperature data continues a predetermined number of times (or apredetermined number of days). If it is determined at the step S19 thatthe abnormality of the temperature data continues a predetermined numberof times (or a predetermined number of days), then it cannot beconsidered that the temperature has temporarily risen due to an externalfactor. Therefore, control goes to the step S21.

[0082] If it is determined at the step S19 that the abnormality of thetemperature data does not continue a predetermined number of times (apredetermined number of days), there is then the possibility that thetemperature has temporarily risen due to the external factor. Therefore,control goes to the step S20, whereat the CPU 11 generates a controlsignal for use in increasing the revolution rate of the cooling fan 80of the MD drive 32, outputs this generated control signal through thenetwork 2 to the corresponding distribution terminal device 3. Then,control goes to the step S16.

[0083] If it is determined at the step S18 that the temperature data isnot the abnormal value (i.e., if other maintenance data than thetemperature data exhibit the abnormal value or if the lifetime of thelaser diode reaches the end) or if it is determined at the step S19 thatthe abnormality of the temperature data continues a predetermined numberof times (or a predetermined number of days), then control goes to thestep S21, whereat the CPU 11 outputs transition data of maintenanceinformation concerning the abnormal value or the lifetime reaching valuethrough the internal bus 13 or the I/O interface 12 to the displaysection 18, on which it is displayed. At the same time, the centralprocessing unit also generates and outputs an alarm such as a warning(e.g., text data or image data displayed on the display section 18 oraudio data outputted from a speaker, not shown). Then, control goes tothe step S16.

[0084] At the completion of the step S17, control goes to a step S22,whereat the CPU 21 calculates from the transition data on the powersource voltage values recorded on the HDD 19 an optimum time at whichcontent data is transmitted to the distribution terminal device 3. Then,control is ended.

[0085] The distribution terminal devices 3 have different power sourcecircumstances depending upon the places in which they are installed.Specifically, there can be considered the large probability that thepower source voltage of the distribution terminal device will be loweredduring a predetermined time period depending upon a power distributionsituation of a building or situations under which electrical machineryand apparatus around the distribution terminal device are in use. In anoffice building, for example, it is frequently observed that powersource voltages become unstable during a daytime in which an officeautomation system such as a photocopier and air-conditioning facilitiesare used very often. When equipment such as an electric water heaterwhich consumes an electric power in the night is installed around thedistribution terminal device 3, it can be considered that the powersource voltage becomes unstable in the night. Accordingly, a time periodhaving a large possibility that the power source voltage is most stableis selected from the history of the power source voltage transmittedfrom the distribution terminal device 3 as the maintenance data and thecontent data is transmitted to the distribution terminal device duringthat time period, whereby content data can stably be supplied to thedistribution terminal device.

[0086] According to the above-mentioned processings, in the content datadistribution system, since the maintenance data of the distributionterminal device 3 installed at a remote place is transmitted to the hostcomputer 1 and the host computer 1 analyzes the maintenance data, thelifetime of the laser diode can be predicted, and the occurrence of thetrouble can be detected without receiving information from a user orfrom a shop and the like in which the distribution terminal device 3 isinstalled. Therefore, the distribution terminal device 3 can be madehighly reliable, and the maintenance cost of the whole of the system canbe decreased considerably.

[0087] While the host computer 1 has collected the laser forward currentvalue, the temperature data indicative of the temperature near theoptical pickup 69 and the power source voltage data as the maintenancedata as described above, it is needless to say that the presentinvention is not limited thereto and that the host computer may collectother maintenance data (e.g., the laser emission accumulation time, thecurrent value of the current flowing to other parts or the temperaturedata indicative of the temperature measured at other positions of the MDdrive 32, etc.) and may execute an analyzing processing concerning themaintenance based upon these data.

[0088] Furthermore, since the maintenance information and the lifetimeprediction data are respectively recorded together with dates in theprocessing at the steps S16 and S17, if a trouble occurs in thedistribution of the content in the future, these information caneffectively be used to analyze the cause of the trouble.

[0089] While the content distribution system in which the content datais distributed by the distribution terminal device 3 including the MDdrive 32 has been described so far, the present invention is not limitedthereto, and can be applied to various data transfer systems comprisinga host computer and terminal devices connected via a network or asatellite.

[0090] A series of the above-mentioned processing may also be executedby software. Such software is installed in a computer in which programscomprising such software are built in exclusive-hardware or ageneral-purpose personal computer and so forth, for example, which canexecute various functions by installing various programs from arecording medium.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 2, this recording medium is comprised of packagemedia consisting of the magnetic disk 21 (including the floppy-disk),the optical disk 22 (including a CD-ROM (Copact Disc-Read Only Memory)and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), the magnetooptical disk 23(including an MD (Mini-Disk)) or the semiconductor memory 24 and soforth in which programs distributed for providing programs to users arerecorded independently of a computer.

[0092] In the specification of the present application, the steps fordescribing the programs recorded on the recording medium may contain notonly the processing which is executed in accordance with the describedorder in a time-series fashion but also processing which is not alwaysexecuted in a time-series fashion and which may be parallelly orindividually executed.

[0093] In the specification of the present application, the “system”represents the whole of the device which is comprised of a plurality ofdevices.

[0094] According to the information processing device, the informationprocessing method and the program contained in the recording medium ofthe present invention, since the inputted first information indicativeof the condition of other information processing devices is receivedthrough the network, the reference value concerning the firstinformation is stored, the inputted first information is accumulated andthe second information concerning the maintenance of other informationprocessing devices is generated based upon the inputted firstinformation, the stored reference value and the accumulated firstinformation, it is possible to predict the lifetime of the semiconductorlaser or to detect the occurrence of the trouble from the maintenancedata about a plurality of distribution terminal devices which aredifferent from each other in frequency with which they are in use andcircumstances under which they are in use.

[0095] According to the maintenance information management system of thepresent invention, since the first information processing devicetransmits the first information indicative of its own condition throughthe network to the second information processing device and the secondinformation processing device receives the inputted first informationindicative of the condition of the first information processing devicethrough the network, stores therein the reference value concerning thefirst information, accumulates therein the inputted first informationand generates the second information concerning the maintenance of thefirst information processing device based upon the inputted firstinformation, the stored reference value and the accumulated firstinformation, the maintenance data about a plurality of distributionterminal devices which are different from each other in frequency withwhich they are in use and circumstances under which they are in use aretransmitted from the distribution terminal devices to the host computer,whereby the lifetime of the semiconductor laser can be predicted or theoccurrence of the trouble can be detected by using the maintenance data.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0096] The present invention relates to an information processing deviceand an information processing method, a maintenance informationmanagement system and a recording medium and may be applied to aninformation processing device and an information processing method, amaintenance information management system and a recording medium inwhich a lifetime of an part can be predicted or an occurrence of atrouble can be detected without receiving information from users orshops in which the distribution terminal devices are installed bytransmitting maintenance data about a plurality of distribution terminaldevices which are different in frequency with which they are in use andin circumstances under which they are in use to a host computer of asystem in the system such as a content distribution system comprised ofa plurality of information processing devices connected via a network.

1. In an information processing device connected to other informationprocessing device through a network, said information processingdevices, being characterized by comprising: input means for receivinginputted first information indicative of the condition of said otherinformation processing device through said network; memory means forstoring therein a reference value concerning said first information;accumulation means for accumulating therein said first informationinputted by said input means; and generation means for generating secondinformation concerning the maintenance of said other informationprocessing devices based upon said first information inputted by saidinput means, said reference value stored in said memory means and saidfirst information accumulated in said accumulation means.
 2. Aninformation processing device according to claim 1, being characterizedby further comprising transmission means for transmitting content datato said other information processing devices through said network,wherein said other information processing devices are distributionterminal devices for providing a service in which said content datadistributed through said network is recorded on a recording medium. 3.An information processing device according to claim 2, wherein saidfirst information contains power source voltage data about saiddistribution terminal device and said transmission means transmits saidcontent data during a time period in which a power source voltage ofsaid distribution terminal device is stable based upon said power sourcevoltage of said distribution terminal device.
 4. An informationprocessing device according to claim 1, being characterized by furthercomprising output means for outputting said second information to saidother information processing device, wherein said second informationgenerated by said generation means is a control signal for improving theoperating condition of said other information processing devices.
 5. Aninformation processing device according to claim 1, being characterizedin that said second information generated by said generation means isinformation expressing a lifetime prediction value of a predeterminedpart of said other information processing devices.
 6. An informationprocessing device according to claim 5, being characterized in that saidpredetermined part is a laser diode.
 7. An information processing deviceaccording to claim 1, being characterized in that said secondinformation generated by said generation means is information indicativeof a transition of the conditions of said other information processingdevices.
 8. An information processing device according to claim 1, beingcharacterized n that said first information contains temperature dataindicative of temperatures inside said other information processingdevices.
 9. An information processing device according to claim 1, beingcharacterized in that said first information contains power sourcevoltage data of said other information processing device.
 10. Aninformation processing device according to claim 1, being characterizedin that said first information contains a current value of a currentwhich flows to a predetermined part of said other information processingdevices.
 11. In an information processing method of an informationprocessing device connected to other information processing devicesthrough a network, said information processing method beingcharacterized by comprising the steps of: an input step for receivinginputted first information indicative of the conditions of said otherinformation processing devices through said network; a memory step forstoring therein a reference value concerning said first information; anaccumulation step for accumulating therein said first informationinputted by processing of said input step; and a generation step forgenerating second information concerning the maintenance of said otherinformation processing devices based upon said first informationinputted by the processing of said input step, said reference valuestored by processing of said memory step and said first informationaccumulated by processing of said accumulation step
 12. A recordingmedium for recording thereon a computer-readable-program, saidcomputer-readable-program for use with an information processing deviceconnected to other information processing devices through a network,being characterized by comprising the steps of: an input step forreceiving inputted first information indicative of the condition of saidother information processing devices through said network; a memory stepfor storing therein a reference value concerning said first information;an accumulation step for accumulating therein said first informationinputted by a processing of said input step; and a generation step forgenerating second information concerning the maintenance of said otherinformation processing devices based upon said first informationinputted by the processing of said input step, said reference valuestored by processing of said memory step and said first informationaccumulated by processing of said accumulation step.
 13. In amaintenance information management system comprising at least one firstinformation processing device connected to a network and a secondinformation processing device for transferring information between itand said first information processing device through said network, saidmaintenance information management system being characterized in that;said first information processing device includes; transmission meansfor transmitting first information indicative of its own condition tosaid second information processing device through said network; and thatsaid second information processing device includes; input means forreceiving inputted first information indicative of the conditions ofsaid other information processing devices through said network; memorymeans for storing therein a reference value concerning said firstinformation; accumulation means for accumulating therein said firstinformation inputted by said input means; and generation means forgenerating second information concerning the maintenance of said otherinformation processing devices based upon said first informationinputted by said input means, said reference value stored in said memorymeans and said first information accumulated in said accumulation means.14. A maintenance information management system according to claim 13,being characterized in that said first information processing device isa distribution terminal device for providing a service in which saidcontent data distributed through said network is recorded on a recordingmedium and said second information processing device is a host computerfor distributing said content data through said network.
 15. Amaintenance information management system according to claim 14, beingcharacterized in that said recording medium is a magnetooptical disk.